Method and device for detecting goal in basketball game device

ABSTRACT

A basketball game device includes a backboard to which a mount is attached for supporting a rim loop ring. A detector is mounted to an underside of the mount and transmits ultrasonic waves to a work space below the rim loop ring. The work space has an outer bound beyond distance of a remote edge of the rim loop ring. A valid distance within the remote edge of the rim loop ring is set in the detector. The detector repeatedly generates ultrasonic waves toward an object and detects the reflected signals representing a series of data corresponding to distances of the object. If the first data of the series of data indicates a distance shorter than the valid distance, the goal is considered legal and if the first data is a distance greater than the valid distance, the goal is illegal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a basketball game device, and in particular to detection of legal goal in the basketball game device by means of ultrasonic detection technique.

[0003] 2. The Related Art

[0004] Basketball game devices are known and commonly used for convenience and ease to install. The basketball game devices are commonly installed in for example garages and backyards. An example of the basketball game device is shown in FIG. 1 of the attached drawings, comprising a backboard 11 to which a rim hoop ring 12 is mounted by a mount 14. A net 13 is attached to the rim hoop ring 12. Conventionally, a score-counting device is incorporated to count the scores or number of goals. Such a score-counting device generally comprises photo-electrical means or mechanical means for determining legal goal. However, such devices are not capable to exclude illegal goals, that is balls moving through a rim loop ring in an upward direction from below the net.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,368 teaches using two photo-electrical sensors spaced in a vertical direction to eliminate incorrect count of illegal goals in “reversed” direction. However, counting score based on photo-electrical sensors may be affected by surrounding light, giving incorrect counting result. Thus, basketball game devices with photo-electrical sensor are subject to limitation of installation site and can only be installed in locations, especially indoors, where surrounding light is not intense enough to affect the counting result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a basketball game device that can be installed in a light intense environment, such as outdoors, by employing ultrasonic technique to detect legal goals.

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a basketball game device comprises an ultrasonic detector comprising a transmitter and a receiver that transmits ultrasonic waves to a moving object and receives the reflected signals, respectively. Distances of the moving object are calculated based on the time elapses between the transmission of ultrasonic waves and the detection of the reflected signals. The detector is arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves in a work space below a rim loop ring of the basketball game device. A valid distance that is shorter than distance of the remote edge of the rim loop ring is set in the detector. A legal goal is determined if a first distance of the moving object is detected within the valid distance.

[0008] Thus, a detector comprising a single transmitter and a single receiver is capable to detect and determine a legal goal and the detection is not affected by surrounding light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of the best mode and a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basketball game device;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the principle of ultrasonic detection;

[0012]FIG. 3a is a side elevational view of a basketball game device incorporating an ultrasonic detection device of the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 3b is a top plan view of FIG. 3a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0014] With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 2, an ultrasonic detection device generally designated with reference numeral 20, comprises an ultrasonic wave signal generating device 21 and an ultrasonic wave receiving device 22. The ultrasonic wave signal generating device 21, serving as a transmitter, generates and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The wave that impacts an object 23, such as a basketball in the example of the basketball game device, is reflected by the object 23 and thereafter detected and received by the ultrasonic wave signal receiving device 22 that serves as a receiver. Based on the time elapse between the transmission and receipt of the ultrasonic wave signal, the distance of the object 23 from a given reference datum can be calculated. The ultrasonic detection device is subject to limitation in detection distance and angle and a work space for the ultrasonic detection device, which is sector-shaped, is indicated by reference character A in the drawings. In other words, the object 23 can be correctly detected when the object 23 is within the work space A of the ultrasonic detection device 20.

[0015] Also referring to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, according to the present invention, in a basketball game device comprising a backboard 31 having a front side to which a mount 34 is attached for supporting a rim loop ring 32. A detector 33 comprising the detection device 20 is mounted to an underside of the mount 34 and arranged in a downward inclined orientation. Thus, the detector 33 is arranged at rear side of the rim loop ring 32 and the ultrasonic wave generated by the detector 33 is transmitted in a work space A under the rim loop ring 32. Therefore, the detector 33 makes no detection to objects above the ring 32. The detector 33 performs detection within a distance, referred to as reaction distance indicated by reference character N, representing an outer bound of the work space A that is beyond the ring 32. Also, a valid distance, indicated by reference numeral V, is set in the detector 33 which is within the rim loop ring 32 or shorter than the distance of a remote side of the rim loop ring 32, as viewed from the top side of the rim loop ring 32 illustrated in FIG. 3b. Preferably, the valid distance V is greater than the distance of a center point of the rim loop ring 32. The detector 33 repeatedly transmits ultrasonic waves to detect distances of a moving ball and the distances of the ball are processed to determine if it is a legal goal.

[0016] A legal goal must travel into the rim loop ring 32 from above the rim loop ring 32. Thus, the distance of the ball at the first time the ball is detected by the detector 33 is within the valid distance V. In other words, in a series of detected data of distances of the ball, if the first data is within the range set by the valid distance V, the goal is considered legal.

[0017] Since the valid distance V is shorter than the reaction distance N, when a ball travels into the rim loop ring 32 from below the rim loop ring 32, the first time the ball is detected is at a location between the reaction distance N and the valid distance V and thereafter the ball is detected at a location within the range of the valid distance V. Thus, in a series of distance data detected by the detector 33, if the first data is beyond the valid distance V, then the goal is considered illegal and thus not counted.

[0018] In case a net is attached to the rim loop ring 32, the net is configured to forming an opening at the side adjacent the mount 34 for not interfering with the operation of the detector 33. Such an opening is small enough to not interfere with the basketball game, but large enough to allow transmission of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves are reflected by the opposite, remote side of the net, and then received by the detector 33. Since the valid distance V is shorter than the farthest distance of the rim loop ring 32, which substantially corresponding to the distance of the remote side of the rim loop ring 32, the signals reflected by the remote side of the net constitute no valid signal and thus do not interfere with the operation of the detector 33.

[0019] However, for a legal goal, the ball travels into the rim loop ring 32 from above the rim loop ring 32. The distance of the ball is first detected within the valid distance V. However, since the remote side of the net is detected before the first detection of the ball approaching the rim loop ring 32. Thus, a foul determination of illegal goal may be made due to the preceding detected signals of the remote side of the net. To overcome the deficiency, repeatedly detected signals of an object at a constant distance or signals representing an object at different distances with a small distance change therebetween are neglected. By neglecting these “noise” signals, a legal goal can be correctly determined.

[0020] Thus, in a series of distance data representing the distance of an object detected by the detector 33, successful data of constant distance or more practically, data with small change therebetween are neglected first. The remaining data are processed and a legal goal is determined if the first data is beyond the valid distance V.

[0021] To this point, it is apparent that a single set of transmitter and receiver is sufficient to determine if a goal is legal and correct score can be calculated in accordance therewith. The operation of the goal detection is not affected by intense surrounding light and is more durable as compared to the mechanical type detector. Thus, advantages over the prior art are obvious to those having ordinary skills.

[0022] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the best mode and a preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for detection legal goal in a basketball game device comprising a rim loop ring, the method comprising the following steps: (1) providing an ultrasonic detector, which generates ultrasonic waves and received reflected signals of the ultrasonic waves, in a downward inclined manner whereby the ultrasonic waves are transmitted in a work space below the rim loop ring, the work space having an outer bound beyond distance of a remote edge of the rim loop ring; (2) setting a valid distance within the remote edge of the rim loop ring; (3) repeatedly generating ultrasonic waves toward an object and detecting the reflected signals representing a series of data corresponding to distances of the object; and (4) determining a legal goal by processing the series of data.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basketball game device comprises a backboard to which a mount is attached for supporting the rim loop ring, the detector being attached to an underside of the mount.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valid distance that is shorter than the remote edge of the rim loop ring is greater that distance of a center point of the rim loop ring.
 4. A basketball game device comprising: a backboard; a rim loop ring attached to a front side of the backboard; a detector arranged on a rear side of the rim loop ring and inclined downward to project ultrasonic wave toward a work space below the rim loop ring, the work space having an outer bound defining a reaction distance extending beyond a remote edge of the rim loop ring, a valid distance being shorter than the remote edge of the rim loop ring, the detector being adapted to transmit ultrasonic waves to an object and receive reflected signals representing a series of data corresponding to distances of the object which are processed by the detector to determine a legal goal.
 5. The basketball game device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic detector is mounted to a mount that fixes the rim loop ring to the backboard.
 6. The basketball game device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valid distance that is shorter than the distance of the remote edge of the rim loop ring is greater than a distance of a center point of the rim loop ring. 